Canada

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences says Hedley will no longer perform at this year's Juno Awards.

A statement says the decision was reached with the band following allegations of sexual misconduct were posted on social media in recent days.

Some social media users had called for the Junos to drop the band from the upcoming show.

Hedley released a separate statement on Wednesday calling the allegations involving young fans "unsubstantiated."

The Vancouver band's statement says "there was a time, in the past" when they engaged in "a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock 'n' roll cliches."

However, the group says "there was always a line that we would never cross."

The group, fronted by Jacob Hoggard and including Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison, is up for three awards at this year's Junos and are scheduled to perform.

The statement says the band, which is currently on tour in Canada, "will be evaluating some of our next steps."

"We appreciate the bravery of those who have come forward with their own stories, and we realize that all of us, as individuals and as a society, can and must do better when it comes to this issue," reads the statement.

"However, if we are to have a meaningful, open and honest discussion, we all have to accept and respect that there are at least two sides to every story. The recent allegations against us posted on social media are simply unsubstantiated and have not been validated. We would hope that people will bear-in-mind the context in which these unsupported accusations have been made before passing judgment on us as individuals or as a band."

– The Canadian Press

ORIGINAL: 5 a.m.

Canadian pop-rock group Hedley is under fire after being accused of inappropriate contact with underaged fans, and the head of the Juno Awards has responded.

"We are aware of the serious allegations regarding Hedley and we are following this situation very closely," said Allan Reid, president and CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Juno Awards.

On Monday, Twitter user @_cndnpsycho shared screenshots on their account of conversations with anonymous people who made accusations against Hedley band members.

Since then, #OutHedley2k18 has gathered steam, though no allegations have been substantiated.

The B.C. group has been nominated for four Junos this year and is scheduled to perform at the March 25 awards ceremony in Vancouver, and Reid has not indicated whether he will consider pulling the band from the show.

Some Canadian media groups have made a stand, however. Edmonton radio station HOT 107 will not be playing Hedley's music until more facts are available.

"HOT 107 takes these issues very seriously and is ceasing all music from the playlist until further notice," the station wrote in a tweet.

Universal Music Canada, the band's label, said it was not commenting at this time.